Tampa Electric gets Florida Public Service Commission approval to expand energy-efficiency programs and incentives

The new programs, to be available to customers in the first quarter of 2011, include $1.5 million in incentives Tampa Electric will offer each year for five years to help customers install photovoltaic (PV) solar systems and solar water heating.

TAMPA, December 1, 2010

Tampa Electric received approval yesterday from the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to expand its current lineup of energy-efficiency programs for customers. In addition to the new programs and enhancements to existing programs, $1.5 million in incentives will be offered by Tampa Electric each year for five years to help customers install renewable technologies. Those measures include :

  • Residential Solar Water Heating – Provides customer incentives up to $1,000 for installing new solar water heating systems.
  • Solar PV Systems – Provides incentives to customers who install PV systems at their homes or businesses.
  • PV for Schools – Tampa Electric will install five 10-kilowatt (kW) systems with battery backup power (one school per year over five years) at schools that also can function as emergency shelters. The PV technology will provide educational opportunities to teachers and students.
  • Low-Income Solar Water Heating – Solar water heating systems will be available for installation on new construction in collaboration with nonprofit building organizations.

The new programs should be available to customers in first quarter of 2011. The availability of these incentives is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be accepted online at tampaelectric.com.

“Saving energy is important to our customers during these challenging economic times,” said Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. “In designing these new programs, we considered the growing interest community leaders and small and large customers have in renewable technologies, energy conservation and, smart and efficient-energy management equipment and systems. These new and enhanced programs can help customers lower their energy bills.”

by TECO